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Study says marijuana no gateway drug

Marijuana is not a “gateway” drug that predicts or eventually leads to substance abuse, suggests a 12-year University of Pittsburgh study. Moreover, the study’s findings call into question the long-held belief that has shaped prevention efforts and governmental policy for six decades and caused many a parent to panic upon discovering a bag of pot in their child’s bedroom.

The Pitt researchers tracked 214 boys beginning at ages 10-12, all of whom eventually used either legal or illegal drugs. When the boys reached age 22, they were categorized into three groups: those who used only alcohol or tobacco, those who started with alcohol and tobacco and then used marijuana (gateway sequence) and those who used marijuana prior to alcohol or tobacco (reverse sequence).

Nearly a quarter of the study population who used both legal and illegal drugs at some point – 28 boys – exhibited the reverse pattern of using marijuana prior to alcohol or tobacco, and those individuals were no more likely to develop a substance use disorder than those who followed the traditional succession of alcohol and tobacco before illegal drugs, according to the study, which appears in this month’s issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

“The gateway progression may be the most common pattern, but it’s certainly not the only order of drug use,” said Ralph E. Tarter, Ph.D., professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and lead author of the study. “In fact, the reverse pattern is just as accurate for predicting who might be at risk for developing a drug dependence disorder.”

In addition to determining whether the gateway hypothesis was a better predictor of substance abuse than competing theories, the investigators sought to identify characteristics that distinguished users in the gateway sequence from those who took the reverse path. Out of the 35 variables they examined, only three emerged to be differentiating factors: Reverse pattern users were more likely to have lived in poor physical neighborhood environments, had more exposure to drugs in their neighborhoods and had less parental involvement as young children. Most importantly, a general inclination for deviance from sanctioned behaviors, which can become evident early in childhood, was strongly associated with all illicit drug use, whether it came in the gateway sequence, or the reverse.

While the gateway theory posits that each type of drug is associated with certain specific risk factors that cause the use of subsequent drugs, such as cigarettes or alcohol leading to marijuana, this study’s findings indicate that environmental aspects have stronger influence on which type of substance is used. That is, if it’s easier for a teen to get his hands on marijuana than beer, then he’ll be more likely to smoke pot. This evidence supports what’s known as the common liability model, an emerging theory that states the likelihood that someone will transition to the use of illegal drugs is determined not by the preceding use of a particular drug but instead by the user’s individual tendencies and environmental circumstances.

“The emphasis on the drugs themselves, rather than other, more important factors that shape a person’s behavior, has been detrimental to drug policy and prevention programs,” Dr. Tarter said. “To become more effective in our efforts to fight drug abuse, we should devote more attention to interventions that address these issues, particularly to parenting skills that shape the child’s behavior as well as peer and neighborhood environments.”

Indeed, according to the study, interventions focusing on behavior modification may be more effective prevention tactics than current anti-drug initiatives. For example, providing guidance to parents – particularly those in high-risk neighborhoods – on how to boost their caregiving skills and foster bonding with their children, could have a measurable effect on a child’s likelihood to smoke marijuana. Also, early identification of children who exhibit antisocial tendencies could allow for interventions before drug use even begins.

Although this research has significant implications for drug abuse prevention approaches, Dr. Tarter notes that the study has some limitations. First, as only male behaviors were studied, further investigation should explore if the results apply to women as well. Also, the examination of behaviors in phases beyond alcohol and marijuana consumption in the gateway series will be necessary.

From University of Pittsburgh Medical Center




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402 thoughts on “Study says marijuana no gateway drug”

  1. I agree with Rico Marsh 100 percent! As fellow shitfaces…we must stand up for each other.

    Shitface Out.

  2. Society in this day and age claims that the use of marijuana has a negative impact on the youth and they express that this ‘drug’ is addictive. I have to disagree since recent studies has proven that the use of this herb (yes, it’s a herb and not a drug in my opinion) has helped reduce the consumption of alcohol and cigarette smoking among youth (http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugpages/MTF.html).

    Through my experiences i believe that youth, especially students, needs ways to relax and relieve their stress. They usually turn to alcohol to do this and usually get into trouble because they drove being drunk or they got into a fight since alcohol makes people aggressive but cannabis on the other hand helps people ‘mellow out’. I know that most people use both alcohol and cannabis to have a good time but if people, especially the youth, are aware of the dangers of using both, they will realize it and improve to use it better to have a fun time. Recent studies also indicate that crime is reduced in states that have legalized the smoking of cannabis.

    Cannabis can be used to reduce the percentage of anorexia. Since smoking the ‘herb’ gives people an appetite, they will feel forced to eat and therefore gain weight. And since smoking cannabis makes you feel ‘high’, anorexic people will enjoy that feeling and keep on smoking.

    Although studies indicate that the smoking of cannabis is addictive, it is used for medical purposes. It helps cancer patients cope with the pain and it’s not that expensive as pain killers. If people smoke it now and then and at certain times, then they won’t get easily addicted and they will still be productive at work or school. I know studies show that the consumption of weed from dealers affect people’s health so why not legalize cannabis everywhere so that people won’t have to buy it at dealers, therefore they won’t buy crappy weed which affects their health.

  3. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was curious what all is required to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog
    like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos

  4. How did the researchers know the young men were telling the truth about their use of other illegal drugs? The boys weren’t held in captivity in the same place and subjected to the same conditions i.e. this was not a fair test.

    • i.e. shut the f*** up, marijuanna saved my life and iv been using it for 16 years strait, never even wanted to do another drug, and just cuz they werent in captivity doesnt mean they werent telling the truth, y would they lie?

  5. WEED IS THE S*** GET ALL THAT BULLS*** YOU KNOW OUT OF YOUR THICK SKULL OF YOURS, STOP BEING A F****** DUMB ASS RABBIT TURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    F*** YOU!

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